Why Working Moms and Stay at Home Moms Should Support Each Other – by Ryan Green

Lately I have noticed a trend on social media: a war is being waged between working momsand stay at home moms. The stay at home mom will post a blog about her life, and how she feels it is the best option for her and her family…and for everyone else. She posts dozens of photos of her happy smiling children and her pumpkin spice lattes. Meanwhile, the working mom blogs about the balancing act between her job and her family. She argues that she is setting an example for her daughter, posting photos of her work trips and luxury family vacations. She also thinks that her way is the best way. The back and forth between these two types of moms can be overwhelming!

Moms can and should voice their opinions. We are lucky to be in a society where voicing our thoughts is encouraged. However, I believe that these women are harming a delicate ability our mothers and grandmothers worked so hard for us to have. That ability is simple: choice.

And I know the struggle just as much as the next girl! I am from a family that values stay at home moms over working mothers. One of my sisters has strong views on why moms should stay at home, and we debate the issue often. However, I plan to be a working mother which is a choice that is counterintuitiveto many of my family members. But, as I said before, it’s a choice. And I should just as vehemently support my sister in her aspirations to be a stay at home mom.

Ladies, just two short generations ago, women were expected to complete one task: raise a family. Now, we have the opportunity to choose our own course. What can harm this progress is the inability as a gender to support our sisters. Realize that there is more than one way to be a good mother. Know that it is important as a society to have women (and men) who feel it is their calling to stay at home and care for their families. And, rather than pointing fingers at each other, look inward as to how we can make the world a better place for our daughters…together.

Ryan Green is a business woman, writer, and inspirational leader who has enjoyed a successful career in the surgical device industry for over seven years. She currently works for Medtronic Neuromodulation, a global industry leader in medical device.

Ryan is passionate about women’s development and female leadership initiatives. Her goal is to inspire both women and men to understand the benefit of a diverse and gender balanced workplace. Ryan serves on the Medtronic ASPIRE (women’s employee resource group) development committee, and writes the “Incite” weekly E-Newsletter.

In her spare time, Ryan is a mentor and career coach. She is a self proclaimed health nut and half marathon runner. Ryan resides in Birmingham, AL with her husband Alex and dog Evelyn Jo.